Research Library

The Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum has an extensive research library containing historic documents, photographs and artifacts dating back to the 1800’s from both the Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office. The Museum also has a vast amount of information regarding personnel history, vehicle data, cultural & social writings and complete volumes of the Seattle Police Callbox, Washington State Sheriff &Police Reporter as well as the Northwest Police Journal, which covers all police related issues throughout the state of Washington from the 1920’s through the 1970’s.

If you have specific research questions, please call the Police Museum at #206-748-9991, or submit your request in writing to the Police Museum at 317 Third Ave So. Seattle, WA 98104. Please indicate specifically what information you desire and why and we will be glad to assist you on your research needs.

Due to the rare and delicate nature of our historic documents and other material the Police Museum’s research library is not open to the public.

Based on the amount of information desired and the time involved in locating the desired information a fee may be charged for staff time and copying costs.